Some people collect stamps, other people coins. There is something about collecting things that are unique that appeals to people.
For ham radio operators, we collect contacts with other people. Originally this was done with postcards and exchanges via postal mail, and that continues. But there are also now digital mechanisms to exchange your contact confirmation. Special event station contacts are something that people enjoy “collecting” by making contacts at these planned times and locations.
For the last 12 years, the Anoka County Radio Club has held a Halloween Special Event station celebrating Anoka being the “Halloween capital of the world.” We set up our radios (typically on a park picnic table), and make contacts with other people. In advance, the date/time and frequencies for the special event station are published in QST magazine.
Holiday appropriate helpers help us with our contacts, and we have candy and decorations.
Over the day we may make dozens or hundreds of contacts. We send out old school postcards (QSL Cards) for people that reach us.
For 2024 we will be setting up in Sunrise Park in Lino Lakes from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
The park address is 6918 Sunrise Drive Lino Lakes, MN 55014
If you are interested please stop by!
You can also contact us on the air – our planned frequencies and modes are listed below:
- Oct 31, 1400Z-2000Z, W0YFZ, Anoka, MN. Anoka County Radio Club. 14.250 7.250 7.056 ft8. QSL. Anoka County Radio Club, PO Box 982, Anoka, MN 55303. www.anokaradio.org
Hope to see you there or hear you on the radio!
73’s Tim Neu
N0TJN
Ham Radio Tower Trailers 